Astros tied to Hanley Ramirez

Free agent shortstop Hanley Ramirez is open to switching positions, and according to FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal, the Astros have checked in on him.

Agent Adam Katz declined comment Tuesday.

It’s a longshot. Ramirez, 30, received a qualifying offer and would be an expensive sign for multiple years. Luhnow said Monday that he prefers a one or two-year deal on the left side of the infield, where prospects are coming.

But, Ramirez’s position flexibility, theoretically, could provide a work-around. In the immediate future, the Astros’ do have a need.

“Whether it comes in the form of singles, doubles, triples, walks, home runs, I don’t really care,” Luhnow said Monday. “We just need to improve the production of the offensive output of our infield.”

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